Celebrating Vilano, North Beaches!

SAINT AUGUSTINE – – Vilano Fest 2018 with tunes, tastes and tours will be held in the Vilano Beach Town Center April 20 and 21 celebrating the history, future, and individuality of the community where all people feel welcome. The Tour of Homes on Saturday is highlighting Old Vilano, Surfside and North Beach homes, withCastle Otttis as the northern most stop on the tour.

Castle Otttis was created as an original landscape-sculpture ‘Done in Remembrance of Jesus Christ.’ The structure is an impression of an Irish castle of 1,000 years ago. The interior was created under guidance of historians from the Catholic Diocese of Northeast Florida to evoke an atmosphere of an Abbey in Ireland during the same period. The interior has eight different examples of staircases in addition to an altar, a pulpit, a Bishop’s chair, a choir loft, benches or pews; and incorporates spiritual and historic related symbolism throughout. All the masonry work was done by two individuals working together without the aid of laborers, helpers, elevation drawings, or models. Castle Otttis is located on the same latitude as the Great Pyramids in Egypt. Located on highway A1A three miles north of St. Augustine, The Castle was never intended to be a residence, a commercial building, nor a tourist attraction it was created as an expression of art. Castle Otttis is privately owned and we are pleased to offer this one of a kind experience to our guest. View photos and history at http://www.castleotttis.com.

Special restrictions apply including no parking allowed near the property. Castle Otttis is not handicapped accessible and children under the age of 12 are not allowed. Transportation will be provided by Old Town Trolley and Tickets may be purchased online at www.vilanofest.com – available in weekend passes or single event ticketing.

The Vilano Fest Tour of Homes is April 21t from 10 a.m till 6 p.m. The Vilano Fest Tour of homes features a variety of homes and a refreshment location with ‘tastings’ offered from local restaurants including the Reef, Beaches, Puccini’s and more.

A portion of proceeds from the Vilano Fest will help improve lighting and walkability throughout the community and support the continued education of local culinary students. The event consists of a weekend of activities including a Sea Turtle Soiree (party on the pier); Tour of Homes, Music Fest located in the Vilano Beach Town Center. This Great Florida Event is sponsored by the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association in partnership with VISIT FLORIDA. Marketing of the event is funded in part by VISIT FLORIDA.

For more information, to purchase tickets, or to volunteer, go to www.vilanofest.com.Tickets for this event will be limited and will go fast.

Vilano Beach Main Street, Inc. is a nonprofit organization accredited by the National Main Street Center to promote, preserve and enhance the revitalization of small towns and downtowns throughout America.

FEST HIGHLIGHTS

Friday April 20 & Saturday April 21..

The SEA TURTLE SOIREE event on Friday brings back for the second year the 1920s themed party on the Vilano pier complete with Ramona’s eight piece band and plenty of food, drinks and partying under covered tents!

Ramona’s 8 piece band

Amy Hendrickson

The TOUR OF HOMES event on Saturday brings to the fore the great homes in our community showcased to highlight history, uniqueness and novelty no other community possesses. You will be amazed at this year’s most special treasured stop in North Beach!

Features FIREHOUSE rest stop with local area restaurants offering samplings (Reef, Dessert First, Beaches, and more…PLUS music by Bill Sabo and Katherine Archer 1-4!

The MUSIC FEST on Saturday now incorporates last year’s Dish n Fish, a day of the area’s finest local musicians with great food and a “slider competition” to wet your palettes!

Favorite Musicians

Sam Pacetti

Dewey Via

Joe Schauer

Those Guys

Chelsea Sadler

Crawford Boyd

Honey B

Showtime USA

Legacy Irish Dancers

For more information, purchasing tickets, and registering to volunteer, go to www.vilanofest.com.